Portable lamp guard



Dec. 31, 1946. R Popp v 2,413,417

' PORTABLE LAMP GUARD Filed Sept. 24, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l fnlz/enir: fida/Ulf Pojv,

Dern 31-,146. RPOPP .2,413,417

PORTABLE LAMP GUARD Filed sept.. 24,l 1943 V4 she'cs-shee1;

DC. 3l, R- popp PQRTABLE LAMP GUARD Filed sept. 24, 19:13

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mcs 3l, R- PORTABLE LAMP GUARD Filed Sept. 24, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. MU'

Patented Dec. 31, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE LAMP GUARD Rudolf Popp, Valparaiso, Ind., assignor to McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc., Valparaiso, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application September 24, 1943, Serial No. 503,595

9 Claims.

. l The present invention relates to guards for portable lamps and more particularly to an improved insulating type of guard which isdetachable from a socket carrying handle in which the lamp receiving socket is mounted, and to imrproved methods of making the guard.

Guards have long been employed for insulating portable lamps against envelope and lament breakage during handling, and the usual device of this character conventionally comprises a plurality of metal parts which are interconnected Vto form a cage within which the lamp bulb is disposed. Portable lamp guards employing parts formed primarily of insulating material have also been manufactured for use in applications Where electrical short circuits through the parts of the guard are to be avoided. Guards employing parts formed of insulating material and combined with portable lamps of the so-called vapor sealed type, have also been manufactured for use in areas where static discharges or arcs between the parts of the guard and other metal objects are to' be avoided, due to the presence of inflammable and explosive gases. The latter type of guard, however, universally employs metal parts, such, for example, as eyelets, nuts `or rivets, for the purpose of joining the parts formed of insulating material, and frequently machine screw or other eX- pensive cutting operations are resorted to in order .to prepare the parts for assembly. These expedients are expensive, both from the standpoint of material cost and from the standpoint of the number of assembly operations required to manufacture a completed device. Devices utilizing such fastening expedients are, moreover, highly susceptible to breakage during the handling which accompanies the use thereof, due to the fact that the component insulating parts are necessarily weakened in cutting the same to accommodate the metal fastening parts. Moreover, the arrangements presently in use for sealing the bulb' within an enclosure to prevent gas ignition in cases of bulb breakage, are relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved portable lamp and guard structure which is substantially free of the disadvantages outlined above and may, without manufacturing changes, be readily adapted for use as a non-vapor sealed lamp or as a vapor sealed lamp.

It is another object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a portable sealed lamp which includes improved facilities for enclosing the lamp n (Cl. 24U-54) bulb within a sealed space and for guarding the bulb and enclosing transparent sealing wall against breakage.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved portable lamp guard of the character described Which consists solely of intertting parts formed of brous insulating material and in which the parts are held together solely by the engagement of the intertting portions thereof.

It is still another object of the invention to provide as a part of the improved all fiber lamp guard structure, a brous light reflecting element whichmay easily be assembled with the other parts of the structure and is rigidly secured to the guard structure without the use of any metal parts.

According to a further object of the invention, there is provided an improved structure of the character described which is so arranged that no metal assembly parts are required in the assembly of the device and no expensive machine tool operations are required in order to prepare the parts for assembly.

According to still another object of the invention, all parts of the improved structure are coated With a waterproofing substance which also acts to insulate the structure against physical shock and to enhance the rigidity of the joints formed between the intertting parts of the structure.

It is a further` object of the invention to provide an improved structure of the character described which is so arranged that all parts of the structure may be stamped out on a production basis without special machine tool operations on the individual parts.

More generally stated, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved structure of the character described which may be simply and easily manufactured with a minimum number of simple cutting and assembly operations, employs easily obtainable and cheap material, and yet is of rugged and light-weight structure.

It i5 still another object of the invention to provide an improved and simple method of making lamp guards from parts which consist solely of insulating material.

It is a still further object oi the invention to provide en. improved and simple structure for obtaining a sealed connection between the transparent bulb enclosure and the handle within which the bulb receiving socket is mounted.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of assembly, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig, l is a side view of a. portable lamp holder having combined therewith a lamp guard structure characterized by the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top View of the lamp guard structure shown in Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of one oi the side members embodied in the improved lamp guard structure;

Fig, 4 is a bottom view of the base ring embodied in the lamp guard structure;

Fig. 5 is a top view of one of the assembly rings embodied in the lamp guard structure;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the bracing ring embodied in the structure;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating the mode of assembly of certain of the parts included in the structure;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines l-B of Fig. 7 illustrating the manner in which one of the side members is joined to the two assembly rings provided in the structure;

Fig. 9 is a side view partially in section illustrating a mcdied embodiment of the guard structure having an impro-ved reiiector arrangement incorporated therein;

Fig. 10 is a sectional View taken along the lines li-iil ofFig. 9;

Fig. l1 is a side sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the combined guard and reliector structure;

Fig. l2 is an end sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. l1;

Fig. 1.3 is a side View partially in section illustrating a portable lamp holder and guard identical vidth that shown in Fig. l but provided with improved facilities for enclosing the bulb within a sealed chamber;

Fig. 14 is a top sectional view of the holder shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modied structure for providing a sealed connection between the bulb enclosing globe and the handle or" the holder shown in Fig. 13.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. l and 2 thereof, the portable lamp holder there illustrated comprises a handle Iii which is formed of insulating material, such as molded Bakelite or the like, and is provided at its upper end with a ared portion I on. suitably apertured to receive and have rigidly mounted therein a standard incandescent lamp socket. Integra-ily formed radially extending ribs I3 are provided around the 'circumferential surface of the handle portion ma, which are drilled and counterbored to receive assembly screws I4 in a manner such that the heads of the screws are not exposed. The handle I S is also provided with an axially disposed bore for receiving the conductors of a cord Il, these conductors being connected in the customary manner to the terminals of the lamp socket mounted within the enlarged apertured portion Ia of the handle. At its lower end the handle ib is counterbored and tapped to receive the external threads of an anchor cap i2, which is also formed of insulating material. As best shown in Fig,y 13 of the drawings, this cap is drilled to provide an opening IZa of slightly greater diameter than the cord II, and is then counterbored through the threaded end thereof to provide an annular space I2?) surrounding a section of the cord. Adjacent the upper end of the cap, the handle lil is provided with a transversely extending portion IBC having an opening iSd therethrough which is of the same diameter as the opening iZa. .A soit rubber sleeve is disposed within the annular space IZb and is of greater length than this space, so that as the cap I2 is threaded into the tapped end of the handle Ii) the end portions of the sleeve are extruded within the spaces between the cord Il and the walls of the two openings i2a and IGd, and the intermediate sections of the sleeve are swelled against the conductor il and the sides ci the bore i219. Thus, the cord l! is xedly anchored within the cap I 2 and a hermetic seal is provided for preventing gases or liquids from entering the hollow portion Iilb of the handle through the cord opening.

At the upper side thereof, the flared portion ida of the handle IB is provided with a flat, platform-like surface upon which the improved lamp guard is rigidly mounted. Briefly considered, this guard comprises a base plate in the form of an annular ring I5, eight side members I6, a bracing ring Il, a pair of assembly plates in the form of annular rings I8 and I9, a suspension hook 2|! and a hook securing device in the form of a rawhide strip EI. All of the enumerated parts are formed of hard insulating material and, preferably, are constructed of a hard fibrous material such as compressed fibre. As will be apparent from a consideration of the detail views thereof, each of the enumerated parts is formed of flat 'stock such that they may be stamped out in production quantities by utilizing Stamping dies of appropriate design. Moreover, each part is oi such coniiguration that all required cuts may be performed with a single stamping operation. Thus, expensive machining operations and repeated cutting operations on single elements of the structure are completely eliminated.

More specically to consider the structural arrangement of the component parts of the guard, it is pointed out that. the base ring I5 is provided around the surface thereof with eight equiangularly spaced-apart recesses or openings 22 Iwhich are substantially square and extend transversely through the thickness of the ring. At the lower side of the ring I5, the opposed side walls of each opening 22 are beveled or flared outwardly in the manner indicated at 22a in Fig. 4 of the drawings, for the purpose of joining the ring with the side members it in the manner described below. The base ring I5 is also provided with four angularly spaced-apart openings 23 through the thickness thereof, which register with the openings through the ribs i3 of the handle Ill, and are tapped or threaded to receive the threaded ends of the assembly screws I4 for the purpose of rigidly mounting the guard upon the upper flat surface of the handle iii.

Each of the side members I6 is of the coni-lguration illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. As there shown, each side member is provided with a notched lower end Ia and with an eared upper end |612, the two ends being joined by a straight section IGC and a curved section ld. Each side member is further provided `with a notch I6e at the point along the length thereof where the curved section ld merges with the straight section lc. More specifically, the notched lower end of the illustrated side member I6 is provided with a portion I 5f of reduced Width and substantially square cross section which is adapted to tightly t within and to extend through any one of the openings 22 provided in the base ring l5, sothat the shoulders extending outwardly therefrom engage the upper surface of the base ring. The upper extremity of the illustrated side member lli is provided with two oppositely extending ears lg and l 6h which are of square cross section and are respectively arranged to be inserted through openingsv provided in the assembly rings i8 and .lil in the manner more fully pointed out below.

The assembly washers or rings i8 and I9 are of identical structure, each thereof being provided with eight leduiangularly spaced-apart i openings 24 which extend transversely through the thickness thereof, are substantially square, and are of such dimensions as to tightly engage the ears lSg and lh of the side members i6. As best shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8, the side walls which denne each opening 24 through the ring I8 are provided with beveled or outwardly flared portions 24a on one side of the ring for the purpose of anchoring an ear leg inserted therethrough in the manner explained below. Similarly, the opposite side walls of each opening through the lower assembly ring le are beveled or flared outwardly at the lower side of this ring so that an ear lith, of one of the side members lli may be anchored therewithin. The two assembly rings i8 and I9 are provided with centrally aligned openings which receive an end Eile of the suspension hook 2li, this end of the hooi; being of reduced width such that shoulders are provided for bearing against the upper surface of the upper assembly ring I8. The portion of the hook end 29a which extends through the aligned openings of the assembly rings i3 and l S is drilled at a point therealong adjacent the undersurface of the ring le in order to receive the rawhide strip 2l and thus retain the hook 2L? supported upon the two assembly rings.

As best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the annular bearing ring li is of the same sectional width as the side members lli and is provided with each equiangularly spaced-apart notches l'la which extend radially out-ward from the inner circumferential surface-s thereof and are of such width as tightly to embrace the side surfaces of the side members i'when inteigtted with the notches i6@ of these side members. In this regard it is also pointed out that the width of the notch lee formed in each side member l is such that the upper and lower surfaces of the notch will tightly embrace the adjacent upper and lower surfaces of the bearing ring l'l when the notched portions of the oearina ring and side member are brought into interiitting engagement.

In the assembly of the improved guard, the base ring $5 is supported upon a suitable holding fixture and the end idf of the eight side members E6 are inserted through the eight openings 22 of the base ring so that the extreme end portions thereof project slightly beyond the lower surface of the base rin It will be understood that in this assembly operation, the ends |53 are so inserted within the openings 22 of the base ring that the upper or offset ends i517 thereof converge at their extremities. The portions of the side member ends lf which project outwardly from the lower surface of the base ring i5 are now upset or spread by a suitable press orpeening operation, either individually or collectively,` depending upon the machinery available. During the upsetting operation, that portion of each end lf which projects beyond the lower surface of thebearing ring l5 is spread or mashed to be accommodated by the beveled portions of the openings 22. In other words, during the upsetting operation, flange-like portions of the side member ends l are produced, which overlie the beveled surfaces 22a of the opposed side walls in each opening 22. In this regard it is noted that the amount of material of each side member end portion llif which projects below the lower surface of the base ring l5 is just suiiicient to ll the beveled portions of an opening 22 when expanded during the upsetting operation. Thus, each side member is rigidly anchored to the base ring l5 with the lower end surface thereof exactly flush with the lower surface of the bearing ring.

Either before or after the upsetting operation is completed in the manner just described, and preferably before, the bracing ring l'l is so positioned that the slots lla therein angularly coincide with-the upstanding side members IE. The bracing ring is now telescoped down over the side members It with the slots l'la embracing the side surfaces of the side members until it is horizontally aligned with the slots le 'provided in the side members. As the slots le are thus brought into alignment with the bracing ring ll, the side members snap outwardly so that each portion of the bracing ring disposed opposite a slot i'la is embraced by the side walls of a slot l 5e and each portion of each side member disposed opposite a slot le is embraced by the side surfaces of a slot l la. Thus, an interfitting dovetail connection is provided between each of the side members and the bracing ring which serves to restrain the bracing ring against movement longitudinally of the guard and to restrain the side members against relative lateral movement. In this regard it will be understood that as the bracing ring is telescoped over the side members, the side members are bent inwardly to tension the base ring l5. Accordingly, the side members i6 are snapped into intertting relationship with the bracing ring l1 when this tension is relieved by bringing the slots le and l'la into adjustment.

After ythe base ring l5, the side members I6 and the bracing ring ll have been assembled in the manner explained above, the upper ears lg of the side members lb are projected through lthe openings 24 provided in the upper assembly ring l i until the lower surface of the indicated assembly ring rests upon the adjacent flat surfaces of the side members. In a similar manner, the downwardly extending ear ith of the side members I6 are projected through the openings 24 provided in the lower assembly ring lll until the upper surface of the ring abuts the flat under surfaces of the side members. After the rings I8 and IS have thus been brought to bear against the upper and lower surfaces of the side member sections ld, and occupy their final assembly positions, the projecting end portions of the ears llig and lh are upset or expanded to embrace the beveledv surfaces 24a of the openings 24 respectively provided in the two rings lli and lll. The amount of material of each ear idg which projects above the upper surface of the ring I3 and the amount of material which projects below the lower surface of the ring I9 is just sufficient to ll the beveled portions of an opening 2li when expanded during the upsetting operation. Here again, the end portions of the ears lg and lBh may be individually upset to provide the Hangs-like projections which overlie the beveled portions of the slots 24. On the other hand, if suitable upsetting dies are available, the flanging of the end portions of the ears Eg and ith may be accomplished in a single operation. As a further alternative, the assembly of all'parts of the guard, with the exception of the hook 2e, may be completed, after which the end portions of the projection f and the ears tg and SSR may be upset in a single operation, providing suitable presses and upsetting dies are available fory this purpose. Thus the assembly rings and the side members are firmly anchored to each other to provide a rigid assembly of the character illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings.

Following the assembly of the parts l5, I6, ll, i8 and lll in the manner explained above, all exposed surfaces thereof are covered with a coating of lacquer, varnish or other adhesive, waterproofing, cement-like material, for the purpose of closing the cells of the fibrous material from which these parts are made, and for the additional purpose of closing the interstices which may remain between the joined interfitting portions of the enumerated parts. The coating of the exposed surfaces is preferably performed by dipping the completely assembled guard in a lacquer or varnish bath in order to insure that all exposed surfaces of the component parts are completely covered. In this regard it is noted that the coating which is formed on the outer surfaces of the various parts by subjecting the assembly to a lacquer or varnish bath and then allowing the particular coating substance to set or dry, not only serves to prevent warping and disintegration of the fibrous material parts when exposed to moisture, but in addition, serves as a shock absorbing layer which prevents these parts from being bruised and weakened when subjected to blows occasioned by dropping the guard or striking the same against hard objects. Moreover, cracks which may remain between the joined intertting portions of the various parts are lled so that the adjacent displaced surfaces of the joints are effectively cemented together to enhance the rigidity of the structure.

The final assembly operation of the guard is that of mounting the hook 2li upon the completed cage assembly. rlhe manner in which this is accomplished will be obvious in View of the preceding explanation. It is noted, however, that the hook is also stamped out from at fibrous material stool: and is dipped or otherwise coated with a suitable waterproofing lacquer or varnish prior to its assembly upon the cage portion of the guard. After the assembly of the guard parts has been completed in the manner just explained, the guard may be mounted upon the flared portion lilo of the handle l by threading the assembly screws I into the tapped drill holes 23 provided in thebase ring i5.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, the modified embodiment of the invention. there shown, is essentially similar to that illustrated in Fig/s. l to 8, inclusive, and described above. Accordingly, like reference characters have been used to identify corresponding parts of the two structures. In the structure of Figs. 9 and lll there is provided a thin light reflecting element Z5, which is formed of a tough resilient fibrous. material, such, for eX- ample, as nbre board, extends longitudinally of the guard structure, and describes an arc spanning the gaps between five of the side members l5. In order rigidly. to secure the element 25 within the guard structure, the side members IE are constructed to have straight portions lEc which extend well'above the bracing ring Il and substantially to the end of a light bulb disposed within the structure. The curved portions IGd of the side members` are made somewhat flat in order to reduce the overv all length of the structure, and are enlarged at the lower ends thereof so that slots Hlm for receiving the end edge of the element 25 may be provided therein at the ends of the straight portions Ic. Also, the portions llc of the side members are out to have a uniform width which is less than the width of the base ring I5, and is greater than the width of the bracing ring lll by an amount equalto the thickness of the element 25. The excess width of each side members projects radially inward from the inner edge of the bracing ring Il to provide a stop surface which may be engaged by a side edge of the element 25.

Aside from the structural differences just pointed out, the guard structure as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, and the elements thereof are assembled in exactly the manner explained above. The element 25, which is cut from thin fiat stock has a length which equals the distance between the upper flat surface of the base ring l5 and the bottom edge portions of the slots lem. It has a width which is slightly greater than the length of the are extending from a side surface of one of the side members lli to the opposite side surface of the diametrically opposed side member IB, and touches the inner edge surfaces of the intervening side members l5. After assembly of the guard structure and before the parts thereof are lacquered or varnished, the refleeting element lili may be assembled within the structure by grasping the side edges thereof and pressing these edges toward each other to deform the element into a trough-like conguration. The element may then be telescoped within the guard structure to project the upper edge portion thereof within the slots IGm of the side members lll. Coincident with the insertion of the edge portion of the element 25 within the slot Mlm, the base portion of this element may be slipped over the upper surface of the base ring l5, and the side edges thereof may be slipped or forced within the side surfaces of the two diametrically opposed side members iii. Incident to the last mentioned operation, the central portion of the element 25 is brought into tight engagement with the inner edges of the three intervening side members it. In this regard, it will be understood that the inner edge of the bracing ring il prevents the element 25 from bulging out through the gap between any adjacent pair of the side members.

After the element 25 has been positioned within the guard structure in the manner explained above, the inner upper edge portion of the base ring l5 may be upset at three or more points around the upper edge portion of the base ring periphery which is spanned by the element 25, thereby to provide anchoring flanges 26 in the manner indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Thus the reflecting element 25 is rigidly locked against the bracing ring I'I and three of the side members I6 both along its upper and its lower edges. It is looked against rotary movement relative to the side members It through engagement of its side edges with the opposite side surfaces of the two diametrically opposed side members. After the reflecting element 25 has been thus anchored within the guard structure, the entire assembly may then be dipped orotherwise coated with lacquer, varnish, or another adhesive,waterproofing, cement-like material in the manner explained above. This coating not only performs the functions previously described, but in addition, serves to bond the element r25 against the bearing surfaces of the other elements of the structure, thereby to enhance the rigidity of the overall construction.

In the modified arrangement illustrated in Figs. lvl and 12 of the drawings, the side members I6 are straight throughout their length. They have a uniform width which exactly equals the width of the bracing ring I1 and is slightly less than the width of the base ring l5. The lower end assembly of the structure is exactly the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings. The upper end assembly of this structure is substantially different from the corresponding end assemblies ofthe structures shown in Figs. 1 and 9. More specically, the upper end assembly of the structureshown in Figs 11 and 12 comprises a spoked wheel-like top member 21 which may be die-stamped from flat brous material, such, for example, as bre board, of the proper thickness.

This member is provided with an outer ring por-* is provided with an aperture 21d for receiving the lower end portion of the mounting hook 20, the cotter pin 2l being provided on the underside of the hub portion 21e to span the aperture 21d and thus maintain the hook 20 assembled upon the member 21. Opposite the ends of the spokes 21h, the ring portion 21a of the Inembell 21 is provided with rectangular apertures 21e for snugly receiving the ends IBg of the members I6 of reduced cross-section. These apertures are of the same configuration as the apertures 22, Fig. 4, provided in the base ring l5.

In the assembly of the improved guard structure, the base ring I5 is supported upon a suitable holding xture and the ends I6f of the eight side members i6 are inserted through the eight openings of the base ring. The upper ends of the side members are then sprung inwardly to be received within the transversely extending slots of the bracing ring I1, following which the bracing ringis telescoped downwardly over the outer edge surfaces of the side members until the slots thereof are brought into coincidence with the slots in the side members. When this position of the bracing ring is established the side meinbers snap outwardly to become interlocked with the bracing ring I1, in the manner previously explained, so that the upper ends Ig thereof are positioned to be received within the apertures 21e of the member 2'?. After the top member 21 is thus assembled upon the upper ends of the side 10 cally opposed side members It in the manner best illustrated in` Fig. 12 of the drawings. For the purpose of maintaining this elementl rigidly mounted within the guard structurejt is cut inwardly at four points along each side edge thereof in order to provide tongues 25a and 25h which extend in opposite directions. During the assembly of the reflecting element within the guard A structure, the tongues 25a may, by suitable finger manipulation, be pushed away from the main bodyof the element and positioned against the side surface of one of the side members I5 so that when released they tend to draw the edge portion Yof the element into tight engagement with the edge surface of the side member. Similarly, the tongues 25h may be bent outwardly away from the main body of the element 25 and so vmanipulated that when released they engage the vside surface of the opposite side member I6 in order to draw the other side edge portion of the element 25 into engagement with the edge surface of the oppositev side member. Thus the tongues 25a and 2519 in their engagement with the diametrically opposed side ymembers I6 not only serve to restrain the element 25 against rotary `movement relative to the guard structure, but in addition, serve to maintain the side edge portions of the member 25 in tight engagement with the edge surfacesv of two of the side members It. The upper and lower edges of the element 25 are, of course, rigidly confined between the inner top surface of the base ring I5 and the lower surface of the top member 21. Thus a structure of great rigidity and ruggedness is provided. After the reflecting element 25 has been assembled with the other parts of the guard structure in the manner explained above, the entire structure may be dipped or otherwise coated with lacquer or varnish in the manner explained above. This coating serves to bond the reecting element 25 to the bearing surfaces of the other parts of the guard structure, thereby further to enhance the rigidity with which the element 25 is mounted within this structure.

From the above explanation it will be understood that an improved portable lamp guard is provided, which consists solely of parts formed of hard fibrous insulating material, and that the resulting structure is rugged, and is pleasing in appearance. It will also be apparent that in the manufacture of the device, no expensive machine tool operations are required. Moreover, the cutting and assembly of the component elements of the guard may be accomplished in a simple and inexpensive manner using standard equipment and with a minimum number of operations.

As best shown in Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings, a bulb enclosing globe 3l? may be utilized in conjunction with the handle and guard structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for the purpose of enclosing a bulb 3l, with which the device is tted, within a sealed gas tight chamber. This globe is in the form of an inverted cup, is constructed of glass having heavy wall thickness, and half the area thereof is enameled as indicated at 3M to provide a light reecting surface. At the outer side of the rimportion thereof, the globe 39 is provided with threads 3th which are adapted for threaded engagement with internal threads Ie provided at the inner peripheral surface of the recessed end portion of the handle More specically, the enlarged upper portion Ida of `the handle I0 is provided with an enlarged cupshaped opening at which the socket receiving opening Ib terminates. Thus, a flat platformlike surface If extending transversely of the handle Il] is provided between the walls of the enlarged cup-shaped opening and the edge socket receiving opening lb. The inner edge of this surface is utilized to support a flange or lip 35a extending radially outward from the lamp receiving socket 35. For the purpose of providing a sealed connection between the globe 30 and the handle le, a soft rubber washer 32 is provided, which lies at against the surface If and snugly embraces the periphery of the socket flange 35a. The outer edge surface of this washer is disposed between the edge of the globe 3i) and the surface If to be clamped therebetween when the globe 3i) is threaded into the threaded portion of the handle I e. Thus, a hermetic seal is provided between the rim of the globe 3i) and the handle lil. This seal, in cooperation with the seal provided by the soft rubber sleeve 8, functions to prevent iniiammable gases or vapors from entering the chamber within which the bulb 3l is disposed. The bulb receiving socket 35 is held in its assembled position within the opening lb by means of assembly elements 3d which bear against the upper surface of the flange 35a, overle the rubber washer 32, and are held in clamping engagement with the upper edge of the socket 35 by clamping screws 33 which are threaded into the flared portion ma of the handle IB.

The modified structure shown in Fig` l5 of the drawings is substantially similar to that just described, the principal difference being that in the Fig. 15 arrangement, the soft rubber Washer 32 serves the two functions of providing a hermetic seal between the handle I0 and the globe 30 and of resiliently supporting the lamp socket 35 with-A in the handle it to minimize the transmission of mechanical shock or vibration to the lamp bulb. In order to enhance the action of the rubber washerl 32 in performing the last-mentioned function, this washer is provided with an upstanding annular portion 32a of greater longitudinal thickness than the remaining portions of the washer. At the upper edge thereof, the washer portion 32a supports the annular rim of the lamp socket 35 in a manner such that the side walls of the socket are displaced from the inner surface of the opening Ib within the handle' I0. Assembly screws 33 and clamping elements 34, in combination with spacing columns 36, are utilized to clamp the socket rim 35a to the platform surface lf of the handle l0 through the thickness of the annular washer portion 32a. More specifically, each spacer column 36 is in the form of a sleeve telescoped over one of the assembly screws 33 and is provided with a tapering upper surface, such that a knife edge support is provided for the associated clamping element 34 at the end thereof furthest removed from the peripheral edge of the socket flange 35a. Thus, a simple arrangement is provided by which the lamp socket 35 is resiliently supported upon the handle I0 to prevent mechanical shocks from being transmitted to a bulb or lamp supported therein.

While different embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that various modications may be made therein, which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A portable lamp guard comprising a base, a plurality of spaced-apart side members provided with ends attached to said base and with opposite ends which converge at their extremities, said opposite ends each being provided with integrally formed oppositely projecting ears which extend parallel to said side members, and a pair of assembly rings disposed on opposite sides of said opposite ends and respectively provided with spaced apertures therethrough through which said oppositely extending ears extend, said ears having flanges at their extremities which overle segments of said assembly rings to maintain said rings and side members assembled.

2. A portable lamp guard comprising a flat base ring having spaced apertures therethrough, a plurality of side members provided with ends of reduced cross section extending through the apertures in said base and with opposite ends which converge at their extremities, said first-named ends having flanges at their extremities which overlie segments of the base ring to maintain the named parts assembled, said opposite ends each being provided with oppositely projecting ears which extend generally parallel to said side members, and a pair of assembly rings disposed on opposite side of said opposite ends and respectively provided with spaced-apart apertures therethrough through which said oppositely extending ears extend, said ears also having flanges at their extremities which overle segments of said assembly rings to maintain said side members and assembly rings assembled together.

3. A portable lamp guard comprising a base, e, plurality of side members provided with ends attached to said base and with opposite ends which converge at the extremities thereof, said opposite ends of said side members each being provided with oppositely projecting integrally formed ears at its extremity which extend generally parallel to said side members, and a pair of fiat assembly rings disposed on Opposite sides of said end extremities to extend transversely of said side members and respectively provided with spaced-apart apertures therethrough through which said oppositely extending ears extend, said ears being provided with flange-like portions which overlie segments of their associated assembly rings in order to maintain the named parts in assembled relationship.

4.In a portable lamp unit, the combination of a handle having a flat annular seat at one end thereof for the reception of a guard thereon, and a guard comprising a plurality of hard fibrous parts including a flat base ring with spaced-apart apertures therethrough and adapted to be mounted upon said flat annular seat of the handle, a plurality of side members each provided with an end of reduced cross-section tting within and extending through one of said apertures so that the end surface of said side member end is substantially coplanar with the bottom surface of said nat base ring, said side-member ends having flange-like portions which overle segments of said base ring within said apertures to retain the side members and base ring rigidly assembled together but positioned so as not to 13 Which converge at their extremities, said side members each being provided with integrally formed oppositely extending ears at its extremity, assembly plates disposed on opposite sides of said end extremities and respectively provided with spaced-apart recesses within which lsaid ears are anchored, said plates having aligned openings therethrough, a, suspension hook having an end portion which extends through said aligned openings and is provided with a shoulder abutting the one of said plates farthest removed from said base, and means coacting with said hook end portion and the other of said plates for securing said hook to said plates.

6. A portable lamp guard consisting entirely of stamped out parts formed of hard fibrous material and comprising, in combination, a at base ring provided with a plurality of spaced-apart apertures therethrough, a plurality of side members each provided with an end of reduced cross section fitting within and extending through one of said openings so that the end surfaces thereof are substantially co-planar with the bottom surface of said base, said notched ends being provided With flange-like portionswhich overlie segments of said base ring within said openings to retain said side members and base ring inassembled relationship, said side members being provided with opposite ends having integrally formed connecting portions at their extremities, a fiat top member extending transversely of said side members and provided with spaced-apart openings therethrough throughwhich said connecting portions extend, said connecting portions being provided with flange-like .segments which overlie segments of said top member within said last-named openings to retain said top member and side members in assembled relationship, said side members also being provided with external notched portions at corresponding points along the lengths thereof, a continuous bracing ring adapted to be telescoped over the said oppositeends of said side members and provided with internal notched portions intertting with the notched external portions of said side members to restrain said side members against relative lateral movement, and a Waterproof and adhesive coating enveloping all exposed surfaces of all of the named parts of said guard.

7. A portable vlamp guard comprising a base r ring, a plurality of spaced-apart side members provided with ends attached to said base ring, said side members having straight portions and curved end portions which converge at their eX- tremities and being provided with notched por-` tions at corresponding points intermediate the ends of said straight portions, at least a portion of said side members also being provided with inwardly disposed notches substantially at the junctions between the straight and curved portions thereof, a top member attached to the converging extremities of said side members, a bracing ring provided with notched portions interiitting with the notched portions of said side members to restrain said side members against relative lateral movement, a light reflecting element disposed within said side members and provided with one edge bearing against said base ring and With an opposite edge anchored within at least a portion of said notches, and means vincluding a anged portion of said base ring for anchoring said element along said one edge.

9, A portablelamp guard comprising a base ring, a plurality of spaced-apart side members provided with ends attached to said base ring, said side members having straight portions and curved end portions which converge at their extremities, at least a portion of said side members also being provided with inwardly disposed notches substantially at the junctions between the straight and curved portions thereof, the extremities of said curved end portions of said side members being provided with integrally formed oppositely projecting ears which extend generally parallel to the straight portions of said side members, a pair of assembly rings disposed upon opposite sides of said extremities and respectively provided with spaced apertures therethrough Within which said oppositely extending ears are anchored, a light reflecting element disposed within said side members and provided with one edge bearing against said base ring and an opposite edge anchored within at least a portion of said notches, and means for anchoring said element along said one edge. f

` RUDOLF POPP. 

